Dear friends,

 

We’d like to share the incredible story of Soraya, the 9-year-old daughter of our good friend Sammy, Executive Chef at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in San Jose.

 

On August 17, 2024, Soraya was rushed to the ER with severe back pain. What began as a frightening visit turned into every parent’s nightmare: doctors found a tumor on her 11th rib. Just a week later—at only 8 years old—Soraya was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer.

 

Her journey since then has been nothing short of heroic. She endured:

• 16 cycles of chemotherapy

• A 12-hour surgery removing her tumor and three ribs (replaced with artificial mesh)

• A month-long medically induced coma following life-threatening bleeding

 

When she finally woke up, Soraya had to relearn how to eat, drink, walk, and speak—all while continuing treatment.

 

Over the past year, she spent 97 nights in the hospital, missed holidays, and faced countless ER visits. Yet through it all, Soraya never stopped fighting, smiling, or inspiring everyone around her.

 

On May 26, 2025, she rang the bell marking the end of chemotherapy. In August, her scans revealed the miracle her family had been praying for: Soraya is cancer-free and in remission. Her most recent follow-up on October 17 confirmed no signs of cancer, and she’s scheduled for port removal this November—a huge milestone toward full healing.

 

Now, we want to give Soraya back some of the joy she’s missed. 💖

We’ve launched a GoFundMe to send Soraya and her family to Disneyland—a well-deserved trip to celebrate life, hope, and resilience.